Evaluation of Gait Characteristics in Subjects With Locomotive Syndrome Using the Wearable Gait Sensors

Abstract

Background: Locomotive syndrome (LS) is a condition where a person requires nursing care services due to problems with locomotive abilities and musculoskeletal systems. Individuals with LS have a reduced walking speed compared to those without LS. However, differences in lower-limb kinematics and during walking between individuals with and without LS are not fully understood. The purpose of this study is to clarify the characteristics of gait kinematics using wearable sensors for individuals with LS.Methods: We assessed 125 people aged 65 years and older who utilized a public health promotion facility. The participants were grouped into Non-LS, LS-stage 1, LS-stage 2 (large number indicate worse locomotive ability) based on 25-question Geriatric Locomotive Function Scale (GLFS-25). Spatiotemporal parameters and lower-limb kinematics during 10-m walking test were analyzed by 7-inertia-sensors based motion analysis system. Peak joint angles during stance and swing phase as well as gait speed, cadence and step length were compared among all groups.Results: The number of each LS stage was 69, 33, 23 for Non-LS, LS-stage 1, LS-stage 2, respectively. LS-stage2 group showed significantly smaller peak hip extension angle, hip flexion angle and knee flexion angle than Non-LS group (hip extension: Non-LS: 9.5 ± 5.3°, LS-stage 2: 4.2 ± 8.2°, P = 0.002; hip flexion: No-LS: 34.2 ± 8.8°, LS-stage 2: 28.5 ± 9.5°, P = 0.026; knee flexion: Non-LS: 65.2 ± 18.7°, LS-stage 2: 50.6 ± 18.5°, P = 0.005). LS-stage 1 and LS-stage 2 groups showed significantly slower gait speed than Non-LS group (Non-LS 1.3 ± 0.2 m/s, LS-stage1 1.2 ± 0.2 m/s, LS-stage2 1.1 ± 0.2 m/s, P < 0.001).Conclusions: LS-stage2 group showed significantly different lower-limb kinematics compared with Non-LS group including smaller hip extension, hip flexion and knee flexion. The intervention based on these kinematic characteristics measured by wearable sensors would be useful to improve the locomotive ability for individuals classified LS-stage2.